UF GYMNASTICS

Sloan wins Honda Sports Award

Special to Gatorsports.com

Published: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

University of Florida freshman and NCAA all-around champion Bridget Sloan is this year's Honda Sports Award recipient for gymnastics, distinguishing her as the nation's top collegiate female athlete in the sport.

Sloan is only the fourth freshman gymnast to collect the Honda Award and the second consecutive, as sophomore teammate Kytra Hunter was the 2012 recipient. Three UF gymnasts have received the honor with Ann Woods claiming Florida's first in 1982.

Sloan's total of 39.60 in NCAA semifinal action earned her the NCAA all-around title April 19 in Los Angeles. She added the balance beam title on April 21 to become only the sixth in the meet's 32-year history to win multiple event titles as a freshman.

The Honda Sports Award is given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year will be selected from the 12 individual sports winners. The Collegiate Women's Sports Awards will present the Honda Cup live on ESPNU on June 24 at the USC Galen Center Founder's Room in Los Angeles.

In honor of Sloan winning the award, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will donate $5,000 to the women's athletic program at the University of Florida. A Gator has been recognized as a Honda Sports winner 16 times across six different sports.

<p>University of Florida freshman and NCAA all-around champion Bridget Sloan is this year's Honda Sports Award recipient for gymnastics, distinguishing her as the nation's top collegiate female athlete in the sport. </p><p>Sloan is only the fourth freshman gymnast to collect the Honda Award and the second consecutive, as sophomore teammate Kytra Hunter was the 2012 recipient. Three UF gymnasts have received the honor with Ann Woods claiming Florida's first in 1982.</p><p>Sloan's total of 39.60 in NCAA semifinal action earned her the NCAA all-around title April 19 in Los Angeles. She added the balance beam title on April 21 to become only the sixth in the meet's 32-year history to win multiple event titles as a freshman. </p><p>The Honda Sports Award is given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year will be selected from the 12 individual sports winners. The Collegiate Women's Sports Awards will present the Honda Cup live on ESPNU on June 24 at the USC Galen Center Founder's Room in Los Angeles.</p><p>In honor of Sloan winning the award, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will donate $5,000 to the women's athletic program at the University of Florida. A Gator has been recognized as a Honda Sports winner 16 times across six different sports.</p>